New cinema and live music venue moves closer to reality in Hayes

An architect's drawing of The Gramophone development in Hayes - which will include a new cinema and live music venue

A new complex including a three-screen cinema and a live music venue has moved a step closer to reality in Hayes.

The Gramophone has received a £1.2 million funding boost from the Mayor of London's Good Growth Fund.

It will be part of The Old Vinyl Factory development, on the eight-acre site of the former EMI record plant, where records by The Beatles and Pink Floyd were pressed in the past.

While The Old Vinyl Factory will include new homes, restaurants and shops, the history of the area means many will be most excited by the idea of a new live music venue on the site.

And The Gramophone will also include what's being called an "affordable" cinema, adding to entertainment options in the area.

What will The Gramophone include?

Another artist's impression of a different part of the Old Vinyl Factory development (Image: U+I)

It's intended to be a new "cultural and creative hub" for Hayes.

As well as the three-screen cinema and live music venue, interactive exhibitions put together with the EMI Archive Trust will be put on at The Gramophone, celebrating the history of the site.

The Gramophone building will retain sections of the former pressing plant.

The plant is where grooves were stamped onto heated vinyl, producing millions of records that were shipped around the world with the famous words printed on the sleeve: EMI Records, Hayes, Middlesex, England.

Back in the day: The Old Vinyl Factory in Hayes

Why is it such an important 'opportunity' for the area?

The founder of the Really Local Group, which is spearheading The Gramophone project, believes the facilities it will be offering are much needed.

Preston Benson said: "For decades, the residents of Hayes and the wider borough of Hillingdon have been underserved with respect to cultural facilities.

"The Gramophone is our opportunity to provide an accessible new home for local communities to come together by providing affordable cinema, music, local food and artist workspace."

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Why is the money from the mayor so important?

The £1.2m injection of cash from the Mayor's Good Growth Fund is crucial to The Gramophone project going ahead.

Mr Benson added: "This project wouldn’t be possible without the vote of confidence shown by the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund.

"We are looking forward to working with Hillingdon Council and the Greater London Authority to make a reality of our vision.”

Deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills Jules Pipe said: “This is a great example of a project which aims to give Londoners of all backgrounds the opportunity to be actively involved in shaping how their city develops.

“The mayor and I are committed to supporting ‘good growth’ by building a city where all Londoners have access to the same opportunities and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this project has in the future.”

Homes will also form part of the Old Vinyl Factory development in Hayes (Image: U+I)

Is Hayes on the up?

It certainly feels like the area is going from strength to strength.

Hayes Town is currently seeing large scale investment and regeneration with hundreds of new homes, businesses and amenities at the rest of The Old Vinyl Factory site.

The connection to the Elizabeth Line, which is due to arrive in 2020, will be further cause for celebration which could help the area.